Valley of Luterbrun, in canton of Berne c. 18th century

Editor: This is William Woollett’s "Valley of Luterbrun, in canton of Berne," made around the late 18th century. I’m struck by how the sublime power of nature is contrasted with this tiny scene of daily life in the foreground. What statements might Woollett be making? Curator: Consider the era, the late 18th century. This image reflects the Enlightenment's fascination with the natural world. How does it fit into the broader colonial narrative of exploiting resources and idealizing untouched landscapes? Editor: So, the 'sublime' might mask a political agenda? Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to question whose perspectives are represented and whose are silenced within this seemingly innocent depiction of nature. Editor: That shifts my understanding completely. I thought it was just a pretty picture, but there's so much more to consider. Curator: Indeed, art rarely exists in a vacuum.